Product Description The slightly longer curved ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip and features 7 signature black dots which represent the 7 Samurai codes of honor and moral principles.  The beautiful hammered finish applied to the patented Cordova 18 core (Chromium, Molybdenum, Vanadium and Carbon) produces air pockets which help release food while cutting, giving the blade non-stick properties. Legendary industrial designer Komin Yamada brings a new age of innovation to Global cutlery with Sai, unifying function and design, these distinctive Japanese knives combine revolutionary ergonomic handles with triple-layered steel blades that maintain their exceptionally sharp edges. The first new cutlery line produced by Global in more than 25 years, Sai blends the Japanese company's tradition of craftsmanship with modern technological advancements. The knives combine three layers of steel: a core of patented, ultra-hard Cromova 18 Sanso stainless-steel alloy and two outer layers of more flexible 18/8 steel for added strength and resistance to rust. Professional-quality blades are ice-hardened and tempered to increase hardness, resist corrosion and maintain long-lasting sharpness. Each blade is hand-hammered to create hollow air pockets that reduce drag, allowing the blade to glide through food without sticking. 12.5-degree blade edge is mirror-polished by hand for exceptionally long-lasting sharpness. The perfectly balanced handle has an ergonomic thumb rest for a smooth, efficient cutting motion and steady, comfortable grip. Made in Japan. Amazon.com High tech from tip to handle, Global knives from Japan created a sensation when they burst onto the world's culinary stage as an alternative to traditional European-style cutlery. Blades are made of hard molybdenum/vanadium stainless steel and "face-ground" with a long taper rather than a short bevel so edges remain sharp longer than even the best high-carbon stainless-steel knives. Edges also are ground at a more acute angle than traditional European-style knives and arrive from the factory razor-sharp. Although Global's original knives have thinner blades and are lighter than traditional European-style knives, Global also makes a heavier-weight line for cooks who prefer hefty cutlery--like this 8-inch vegetable knife, whose broad blade is as thick as a traditional European knife's and is ideal for precisely slicing and chopping vegetables. Global also dispensed with bolsters on most of its knives, including this one. Most Global knives have hollow handles, but the handle on this knife is solid. Stainless-steel handles are Global's most striking feature. They're molded to fit the hand and dimpled to resist slipping. Smaller around than many European-style handles, they're easy for small-handed cooks to grasp and seamless for sanitation. Global recommends using a ceramic sharpener or a diamond steel instead of a metal sharpening steel for its knives, supplemented by a synthetic whetstone, a ceramic whetstone, or a Shinkansen sharpener. Global also makes a Sharpening Guide Rail so blades can be honed on a whetstone at the proper angle. Global knives should be hand washed to protect edges. They carry a lifetime warranty against defects and breakage. --Fred Brack